We live in one world. Just one. Oftentimes it however it seems we live in many and can only affect the world nearest us. We live in our neighborhoods, then communities, then cities, then states, then nations, then our continent and then the world. But alas, it is one world we live in. What I do here in Kansas City affects what happens in San Fransisco and what happens in this country affects what happens in Bolivia and Turkey and Russia and Cuba and Pakistan… and on and on.

For one month, September 16 – October 16, 2009, we’re running a fundraising campaign. It’s up to you! There are tons of ways for you to change the world. After all, we are all part of One Stream. I’ve created a team on Kiva, a micro-lending organization. In a nutshell, this non-profit collaborates with lending companies all around the globe to loan money to entrepreneurs in any country in the world. You get updates on their business and their family. I hope you’ll consider a $25 loan. The money goes to their business and so far I’ve personally helped a carpenter, a farmer, a person in the clothing business and others! The best part is you can get the money back after it’s repaid! Even better, if you choose you can re-loan that money out again!

That’s what One Stream is about. It’s about you and your neighbor. Your human neighbor. It’s about the power you have as one person at this spot of the stream, taking a positive action today to change the life of someone down the stream who depends on the sustenance of the stream, just like you. We are one. What happens to you, happens to all.

People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world’s diversity of languages, religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others.

-Youssou N’Dour

Now more than ever we have it within our capacity to change the world, one person at a time. You can change the world.

Ending extreme poverty is the great opportunity of our time. I disagree with that. I think there is more opportunity for us than just ending extreme poverty. It can be the great opportunity for us to bring quality education to every corner of the earth. It can be the great opportunity for us to bring healthy water to every unsafe stream in the world. It can be the great opportunity for us rebuild a new world. And it begins with us, right now.

If you can’t join our team on Kiva, take some time over the next 30 days to volunteer or donate a smaller amount of money to a cause you care about.

Whatever you do – it makes a difference! Also, I want to know about it. I want to share with everyone how much of an impact we make. If you volunteer for five minutes or five hours, or donate any money over these 30 days, please email me OneStream@RichardDedor.com (You’ll be kept private – promise!) and when the month is over, I’ll let everyone know how much of an impact we made on our world.

It starts with you my friends. Come with me! We are all at this One Stream. Let’s change the world.